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France’s Urine Fertilizer Could Supply 30% EU Nitrogen

6/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

France’s European Space Agency (ESA) uses VunaNexus urine-diverting toilets to make Aurin fertilizer.
Aurin, certified in Switzerland and France, is the only fertilizer made from human urine.
The United Nations warns 45 million people face hunger as prices rise, while urine-derived nitrogen costs 40-50 times more than fertilizer and CEO David de Chambrier says recycling could meet 30 % of bloc’s nitrogen needs, prompting Richard Dobson to plan Durban urinals for fertilizer.

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Story summary

France’s European Space Agency (ESA) uses VunaNexus urine-diverting toilets to make Aurin fertilizer.
Aurin, certified in Switzerland and France, is the only fertilizer made from human urine.
The United Nations warns 45 million people face hunger as prices rise, while urine-derived nitrogen costs 40-50 times more than fertilizer and CEO David de Chambrier says recycling could meet 30 % of bloc’s nitrogen needs, prompting Richard Dobson to plan Durban urinals for fertilizer.